We welcomed the Head of the European Union Delegation

The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina and EU Special Representative in BiH, Mr Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, also visited the “Vermont” Youth Centre today as part of his first official visit to Brčko District.

His host was Damir Radenković, Director of the Vermont Youth Centre, who opened by expressing his pleasure at the interest shown by the Special Representative’s delegation and introducing Mr Wigemark to the Centre’s facilities and human resources. This was followed by presentations on the programmes and the most significant project initiatives being implemented by the Vermont Youth Centre, independently and/or in partnership with civil society and the public sector in Brčko District, with generous assistance and financial support from the European Union.

This time, too, the focus was on the fight against corruption and the important role of civil society in developing and monitoring the implementation of the regulatory and institutional framework, policies and procedures to ensure system integrity, particularly in the context of the European integration process. In line with its previous efforts, the Special Representative’s delegation expects the Vermont Youth Centre to continue to be an equal partner to public authorities at all levels and in all areas of activity, first and foremost by developing a set of anti-corruption measures, and then ensuring their proper implementation in practice.

We would like to remind you that, during his mandate beginning on 1. March 2015, the Special Representative will seek progress on certain outstanding issues so that Bosnia and Herzegovina will be in a position to submit a credible application for EU membership in the near future. In accordance with the recommendations of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, significant progress must first be made in implementing the Reform Agenda. Secondly, substantial progress is needed on trade adaptation in relation to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, and, finally, functional coordination on EU-related positions must be agreed.

We believe that only networked partnerships and multisectoral cooperation can make the path easier and position Bosnia and Herzegovina as a suitable candidate on the road to European standards and values.